Umno Has To Make Fundamental Changes - Hishammuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the party has to make fundamental changes and re-look at its structure after the March election.

These were important to ensure disciplinary problems such as money politics could be overcome, he said.

"This issue has often been raised during party elections. To deal with it effectively, we have to look back at the party's structure.

"I believe we will do it after the March election. This positive development must allow us to look at the party's structure, the changes that we want to make after March," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby Tuesday.

He was commenting on the remarks by Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday that efforts to eradicate money politics in the party were a process that require political will and realistically, it could not be solved in the near term.

Hishammuddin who is Education Minister, said those who were given party posts after the March election must also be united and determined in dealing with the issue.

"Hopefully after the election we can see, especially in terms of the structure, constitution, our struggle which demand us to look back at what we have done not only in Umno but also in Barisan Nasional after the 12th general election," he said.

On the stance by Umno Youth chief contestants Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir and Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo not to hold government posts even if they won the election, Hishammuddin said: "It is up to them."

"We always offer ourselves to serve if we are given the opportunity to serve no matter what. MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong who is also Deputy Education Minister, like it or not Wee has to accept and bear it because our objective to offer ourselves is to serve.

"If the leadership thinks we have an advantage to serve not only in the party but also in the government, why not," he said.

-- BERNAMA

HAS ANWAR CONCEDED DEFEAT?

Being in a hurry in his entire political career, Anwar Ibrahim’s statement that he was “not in a terrible hurry” to topple the Barisan Nasional government came as a shock to many political observers.

His way to the top, in UMNO and the government, during his hey-days as the “heir apparent” was always fast and speedy.

“Everyone knows that he is lying! First it was Sept 16, than Sept 20, he kept on postponing as he is only bluffing,” said a political observer.

On Thursday, the MP for Permatang Pauh told reporters the Pakatan Rakyat coalition was not in a terrible hurry (to topple Barisan Nasional) because, “particularly in the present economic downturn, we need to engage with government leaders to ensure they take the right measures.”

The political observer said Anwar’s statement could be construed as an admittance of defeat.

“Suddenly he wants to “engage” with government leaders, a move that had never crossed his mind before,” he added.

During an interview with news agency Bloomberg, Anwar had for the first time conceded that he was running out of options to unseat the government.

In the interview he also said that : “I am not saying we (Pakatan Rakyat) have no options left, but I’m saying it’s getting to be much more difficult.”

A senior political journalist contributed Anwar’s failure to the transition of power plan.

“Abdullah (Ahmad Badawi) decision not to contest in the coming UMNO election and to hand over the leadership to Najib (Tun Razak), had halted Anwar’s plan,” he said.

The transition of power, he added, was a popular move and well-accepted by the people.

“It showed that UMNO listen to the voice of the people. People needs changes and the transition is a move towards change,” he added.

He said that the change would stop or at least delay Anwar and his Pakatan Rakyat plan to upset the country’s political and economic stability. – Oct 25, 2008